July 29, 2008

Quick-n-Crafty

This past weekend the local Ladies Auxiliary was having their annual bazaar. And, while I really, really love the Ladies, there's another form of the word bazaar I would use to describe a lot of the stuff (ed. note: redacting other "s" word, despite its appropriateness in this context) people think is sellable! Seriously. I draw the line at toys with tooth marks and products with a hint o' mold. I'm not sure I'm even exaggerating. I know it's a rummage sale and all, but please. Who had the nerve to donate this stuff?!

That said, I bought (and thoroughly washed. Twice.) these glass candle holders at $1 per pair for a quick-n-crafty project.

When I spot them, I also buy (cheap!) interesting vintage china dessert dishes at yard sales, flea markets, and (if I'm really lucky) places like Anthropologie on the sale table. This peach of a plate was $2.99:

I use epoxy to affix the candle holder the underside of the plate, let it set upside-down overnight, and voila:

Funky dessert stands! Pop a cupcake or some homemade cookies on there and you've got an instant birthday or hostess gift. I originally got the idea at a tea room I went to that used these at each place setting. I had an "a ha!" moment midway through stuffing food into my mouth that their fancy tea service pieces were simply plates adhered to candlesticks. The mismatched creations looked so cute loaded up with finger sandwiches, mini scones and other sugary treats. What a great way this would be to set a table for a shower or similar gathering of ladies who lunch. And, if you were feeling benevolent, each guest could bring theirs home as a memento of the day.

Just hand wash (and don't submerge in water) and you'll enjoy for many festive occasions to come.

Update, July 30: Appears there are more fabulous DIY cake stands in the blogosphere. Check out Design*Sponge for Kate's Recycled Cake Stands. She used those white "throw away" vases you get flowers in (I'd call it the standard issue Hospital gift store vase). I love it as a base -- looks like milk glass!

16 comments:

Well, isn't this just the cutest, most clever thing? I never in a million years would've thought to put the two things together. I'm the least craftiest (least crafty? most uncraftiest?) person in the world, but even I might be able to do something like this.

You can *totally* do this, and yes: glue guns were very, very bad before they made that special "cool temp" glue. I think I've permanently erased (re: toasted off) the fingerprints on a couple of my digits.

I found it! Took me a while, but I finally finagled my way here, and I'm sure glad you told me about this. I am definitely going to snatch this idea when I find something that 'fits'. Yours are gorgeous!